Search

Across Europe, urban gardening is receiving an emerging interest from the public as well from planning authorities. Urban allotment gardens have a particular role integrating social benefits, recreation, health, food, and urban ecology issues. Differences are seen in the historical context, local regulations, gardener´s motivations, and knowledge which result in different gardening behavior. This behavior, i.e. the use of fertilisers or pesticides, has effects on the quality of soil, water and the habitat. We report on the results of a series of questionnaire surveys undertaken between 2012-2015 by members of the COST Action (TU1201) “Urban Allotment Gardens in European Cities” which addressed motivations, environmental attitudes and ecologically relevant behavior. Urban regions in Poland, Austria, Portugal, Estonia and West of Scotland were studied. In Austria and Poland about 80€ of the respondents identified recreational motivation dominated over food production. These results confirm former studies on Central Europe. In contrast, the supply of fruits and vegetables is the most important motivation in our Estonian, Scottish and Portuguese Cases. Also in Poland and Austria food production is still of importance for those gardeners who are interested in a healthy food. Since in some cities (e.g. Warsaw, Salzburg), the majority of respondents use chemical fertilisers and pesticides, this is not the case in our Scottish and Estonian case studies. Even with this use most gardeners believe that their grown products are healthier than store bough and that their gardens are sustainable and environmental friendly. Results show the need for deeper investigation of the relation of environmental relevant garden practices, environmental risks and environmental attitudes. 78-82pp DHA/NRE

Territorial ecological networks are coherent assemblages of areas representing natural and semi-natural landscape elements that need to be conserved, managed or, where appropriate, enriched or restored in order to ensure the favourable conservation status of ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of regional importance across their traditional range (Bennett, 1998). In this study we demonstrate the hierarchical character of territorial ecological networks, recognize common elements and functional differences between hierarchical levels, and analyze the downscaling and upscaling of the functions of ecological networks. Emerging from the examples of ecological networks at different hierarchical levels, we highlighted following common principles: connectivity, multifunctionality, continuity, and plenipotentiality.

Blue-green systems 2(1), 1-27 (2019). doi:10.2166/bgs.2019.931

Research and practice during the last 20 years has shown that urban agriculture can contribute to minimising the effects of climate change by, at the same time, improving quality of life in urban areas. In order to do so most effectively, land use and spatial planning are crucial so as to obtain and maintain a supportive green infrastructure and to secure citizens' healthy living conditions. As people today trend more towards living in green and sustainable city centres that can offer fresh and locally produced food, cities become again places for growing food. The scope of urban agriculture thereby is to establish food production sites within the city's sphere; for example, through building-integrated agriculture including concepts such as aquaponics, indoor agriculture, vertical farming, rooftop production, edible walls, as well as through urban farms, edible landscapes, school gardens and community gardens. Embedded in changing urban food systems, the contribution of urban agriculture to creating sustainable and climate-friendly cities is pivotal as it has the capacity to integrate other resource streams such as water, waste and energy. This article describes some of the current aspects of the circular city debate where urban agriculture is pushing forward the development of material and resource cycling in cities.